Comparison of the Extended Perichondrium-Cartilage Butterfly Inlay Technique and Over-Underlay Technique for Repairing Subtotal Perforation: A 2-Year Follow-up Study

Abstract

Objective: To compare graft outcomes and postoperative complications between the extended perichondrium-cartilage butterfly inlay (PCBI) technique and the perichondrium-cartilage over-underlay (PCOU) technique for repairing subtotal perforations over a 2-year follow-up period. Methods and Materials: Patients with subtotal perforations were prospectively randomized to either the extended PCBI (n = 52) or PCOU (n = 51) group. Evaluation metrics included operation time, graft success rate, hearing gain, and complications at 24 months postoperatively. Results: The study included 103 patients with 103 ears. Follow-up loss occurred in 11 of 52 patients (21.2%) in the PCBI group and 13 of 51 patients (25.5%) in the PCOU group ( P = .773). The final analysis included 41 of 52 patients (78.9%) in the PCBI group and 38 of 51 patients (74.5%) in the PCOU group. The average operation time was significantly shorter in the PCBI group (31.2 ± 1.9 min) compared to the PCOU group (52.8 ± 6.3 min, P < .001). At 24 months postoperatively, the graft success rate was 82.9% (34 patients) in the PCBI group and 92.1% (35 patients) in the PCOU group ( P = .374). No significant group difference was noted in mean air–bone gap (ABG) gain ( P = .759). High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) demonstrated well-pneumatized mastoids and middle ears in both groups. Altered taste was reported in no PCBI group patients and 23.7% (9 patients) of the PCOU group patients ( P < .05). Graft cholesteatoma was found in 4.9% (two patients) in the PCBI group and 7.9% (three patients) in the PCOU group ( P = .930). Conclusion: The endoscopic extended PCBI technique is safe and effective for repairing subtotal perforation. It avoids raising a tympanomeatal flap and demonstrates high long-term graft success with minimal complications.